GPMD

I'm like a kid waiting for Xmas! Opening day firearm in Maryland starts Saturday and my dad is coming down for the week! Let me give the background, I am 30 and live to hunt, I mean it consumes me from Archery in September thru late January. My dad took me out scouting and shooting when I was too young to actually hunt and I even got some stand time in for him. Then I had my first hunt when I was 12 and harvested a doe. At 14 I started bowhunting and was able to sit on my own away from dad. He ALWAYS would walk me to my set up and come get my at the end of the hunt. I would also get the best scouted out area. What a pain I must have been. In late season when it got dark early, by the time we got out of work/school and into the woods, it was late and then by the time he got me setup, poor guy had like an hour to himself. Anyway, I always came first and got the best areas. Well 6 years ago I moved to Maryland from NJ and left dad. He has hunted less and less since I've been gone and this year he hasn't gone out once. That was totally unheard of a few years ago, im still surprised. For the last few years I talked him into coming down to Maryland and hunt on a large tract of public land with me for a few days when he could get off which he did but that was maybe only 2-3 days a year.

Well last year I was able to join a hunting club 10 minutes from home with 1000 acres. I hunt hard and often but its not the same without him. Last year I talked him into coming for a few days and noticed a change. Now it was me walking him to and from stands, telling him where to watch, and putting him in the best areas. I liked it. Well this year after finding out he hasn't gone once by himself, I talked him into taking a full week off and joining me down here and he jumped at the chance. I've hunted more than ever this season and got a nice buck 2 weeks ago. Since then I've been scouting non stop, sitting out to check out areas, clearing some lanes for him and finding great spots. I'm so psyched, we talk everyday now about the upcoming hunt. I am getting so much joy being the guide and putting him in the best locations and walking him to and fro etc. Its amazing, I of course will be hunting too but I really could care less, I just want to show him the best time.

I just sit back and find humor how the tables have turned. I'm now 30 and my dad is 56 and the situation is exactly reversed from when I was 14 and he was in charge. Now he asks for gear recommendations, questions and follows my lead with where and when to hunt. Great feeling, can't wait to hunt with dad again!